New clubhouse under way

THE new $750,000 Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club is under construction following the official sod-turning ceremony performed yesterday.

Members from the Cabarita club, Tweed Shire Council administrator Max Boyd, and Tweed MP Neville Newell joined the history- making ceremony that will culminate in an impressive two-storey clubhouse.

Cabarita SLSC secretary Rosemary Fisher was hopeful the building would be completed by June next year.

"It's been three years since we had a clubhouse - it's been too long but eventually we will end up with our own surf club on our own land," Ms Fisher said.

The club has been operating out of a converted trailer block since the former premises were torn down in November 2003 after being diagnosed with concrete cancer.

The new building will house a kiosk, gear storage, first-aid room, public toilets and members' and visitors' change rooms on the ground floor, while the top level will have training and control rooms, a kitchen and an office.

Mr Newell said the long and detailed history of the surf club had involved strong community support that began when the club declined an offer by developers to incorporate a tavern into the building.

"The community has been behind the surf club's decision to go it alone," Mr Newell said.

Cabarita SLSC president Patrick Raftery said that support had come in many forms.

The Tweed and Gold Coast business community had swung in behind the project, donating help with interior design, lighting and paint for the exterior of the building.

"If anyone else is interested in helping out we are more than happy to hear from them," Mr Raftery said.

There has been $200,000 from the NSW government's Regional Sports Facility Grant in 2001, along with $650,000 from the Tweed Shire Council Section 94 developer contribution fund set up for lifesaving purposes. The club with the help of the community has raised $100,000.